The 1-0 victory over North Korea that pushed the USA women into the quarterfinals as Group G winner made up in importance what it lacked in style. Here are a few observations of the team's historic visit to Old Trafford decided by an Abby Wambach goal.

I may be speaking too soon, but the decision by Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko to retire is probably the right one for him in many regards, one of which he won't be a temptation - even a remote if not ludicrous one -- for MLS.

The USA women posted their second straight victory Saturday in the Olympic Games soccer tournament by beating Colombia, 3-0, with goals by Megan Rapinoe, Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd. Here are a few observations about the win ...

In the wake of Geoff Cameron's transfer from Houston Dynamo to Stoke City -- and here we should pause for a moment to celebrate yet another player moving from MLS to the big time -- there's been concern expressed that Stoke's rather pedestrian system might stymie his progress.

I've been asked how much soccer I'll be watching in the next few weeks, with the Olympic Games kicking off Wednesday, a steady diet of MLS action, and the international club friendlies - those of the Herbalife Football Challenge and others - tossed into the mix.

The showdown of the top two teams in the Western Conference turned into a blowout when overall No. 1 San Jose inflicted a 5-0 defeat on Real Salt Lake, which lost captain Kyle Beckerman to a red card early in the second half.